竊

The traditional form 竊 is a complex phono-semantic and ideographic compound.

Original components (based on seal script 𥩓):

穴 — cave, hole, semantic, something done in a hidden place

廿 + 米 — later merged into 釆, representing grain being taken → semantic: stealing grain

禼 — phonetic element (related to 疾 in ancient script according to Xu Shen)

《說文解字》 (Shuowen Jiezi):

「竊，盜取也。从穴从米，廿聲。」

“竊 means ‘to steal’. It is formed from 穴 (‘hole’) and 米 (‘grain’), with 廿 providing the sound.”

Interpretation:

穴 + 米 together suggest taking grain out of a storage hole → symbolic of theft.

廿 (old form of 疾 meaning swift, sudden) and 禼 contribute to the phonetic category.

The current standard form has 釆 (separated grains) replacing 廿 + 米.

The simplified Chinese and Japanese form 窃 removes many interior elements, preserving only:

穴 on top

切 as the phonetic bottom

Still productive in legal terminology (e.g., 절도범, 절도죄).

절도 (竊盜) — theft, larceny

절취 (竊取) — to steal, to seize

절색 (竊色) — illicit sexual involvement (classical)

절애 (竊愛) — secret affection

절신 (竊信) — secret letter

The character evokes imagery of ancient granaries, where theft involved silently removing grain through small holes—hence the elements 穴 and 釆.

Relationship to the character 切 (qiè)

Simplified 窃 uses 切 as a phonetic element, reflecting modern pronunciation qiè.

竊 frequently appears not as “to steal,” but as:

- secretly

- humbly (polite self-deprecation in memorials)

Example:

臣竊以為 — “Your servant privately considers…”

Classical citations:

《孟子·梁惠王 下》 (Mencius)

「竊比於我老矣。」

“I secretly compare (your actions) with those of my elders.”

Here, 竊 means “secretly,” not literal theft.

《論語·陽貨》 (The Analects)

「竊比於我。」

Also used adverbially to mean “privately,” “in my heart.”

《左傳·昭公 二十年》 (Zuo Zhuan)

「臣竊聞之。」

“I have secretly heard…”

Metaphorical meaning: privately, without official notice.

盗 — “to steal,” but with broader usage